Match Preview | Sheffield United v Latics 

A closer look into Saturday’s game as Latics take on Sheffield United at Bramall Lane

• Match Preview | Sheffield United v Latics 
• A closer look into Friday’s game at Bramall Lane 
• Shaun Maloney’s side will be aiming to build on their 1-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers with two more positive results during the Easter period 

Wigan Athletic will travel to take on Sheffield United in the Sky Bet Championship on Friday afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

Shaun Maloney’s men will make the trip to Bramall Lane, aiming to back up their hard-fought victory over Queens Park Rangers last weekend. 

The Easter period will provide Latics with two further opportunities to reduce the five-point gap that separates them from safety and make positive steps forward in their fight for Championship survival. 

The task at hand is facing a Sheffield United side who currently sit second in the league table, and have an FA Cup Semi-Final to look forward to later this month. The quality and flair of the Blades has been there for everybody to see throughout this season, and Latics will need to be at their best both defensively and offensively if they are to return home with a share of the points. 

Maloney’s men will be backed by over 1,200 Tics for their trip to the Steel City, and Latics will be hoping that the travelling supporters will be sent home smiling after another positive result and performance. 

Sheffield United, who are managed by former Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom, have won their last three matches across all competitions, including at the homes of Sunderland and Norwich City which are both notoriously difficult places to go. 

With both sides needing a victory to support their respective aspirations at opposite ends of the league table, it is set to be an extremely entertaining clash at Bramall Lane. 

FORM GUIDE - LAST SIX IN ALL COMPETITIONS 

Latics: DDLLDW

Sheffield United: LWLWWW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS OF THE GAFFER, SHAUN MALONEY 

 Speaking to Latics TV in the lead-up to Latics’ Good Friday trip to Sheffield United, Shaun Maloney wants his side to raise their performance levels when testing themselves against one of the best sides in the division. 

"For Sheffield United, they’ve done very, very well this year," he said.

"They are one of the best teams in the league, especially out of possession and being aggressive - and this is why we have to be better on the ball than we have been. 

"We have to raise our level again because of the team we’re playing against, but that’s the challenge of this league and I’m looking forward to it after the way we played against QPR."

OPPOSITION OVERVIEW

Sheffield United were formed in 1889 as an offshoot of Sheffield United Cricket Club, and they soon became founding members of the Football League just three years later.  

After winning promotion to the First Division at the end of the 1892/93 campaign, the Blades enjoyed a golden period from 1895 to 1925, becoming the champions of England in 1898 and also winning the FA Cup on four occasions.  

Unfortunately the glory days were followed by a testing period, and after yo-yo-ing between the First and Second Divisions for three decades, the Blades fell into the Third Division in the mid-1970s.  

Successive promotions under Dave Bassett saw them return to the top flight in 1990 to end a 14-year absence, and United were founding members of the Premier League two years later, with former striker Brian Deane scoring the first-ever goal in the newly-formed division.  

They were relegated in 1994, and after losing the Play-Off Final in both 1997 and 2003, the Blades had to wait until 2006 to experience their next taste of top-flight football. Their return, however, was only short-lived, as United were relegated on the final day of the season following a 2-1 home defeat against Latics.  

Slipping into League One for four seasons, it took just two campaigns back in the Championship to reach the Premier League once more. Under Chris Wilder, a successful first season wasn’t replicated in the following campaign, with the Blades being relegated with just 23 points. 

Last term saw the Blades being knocked out of the Play-Offs Semi Finals by eventual winners Nottingham Forest, but a strong 2022/23 campaign to date has ignited hopes that they could again seal a return to the Premier League.  

IN THE OPPOSITION DUGOUTS | PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM 

Now in his first full season in charge at Bramall Lane, Paul Heckingbottom will be hoping that he can be the man to lead Sheffield United back to the Premier League.  

A former defender for Darlington, Bradford City and Barnsley, Heckingbottom started his managerial career with the latter after previously coaching in the Tykes’ development squad. 

Taking the reins on an interim basis following the departure of Lee Johnson, the 45-year-old was an instant success at Oakwell, helping the Tykes win promotion to the Championship via the Play-Offs and lifting the Football League Trophy at Wembley.  

After two years as Barnsley’s permanent boss, Heckingbottom left to join Yorkshire rivals Leeds United in February 2018, spending four months at Elland Road prior to the arrival of former Chile international manager Marcelo Bielsa.  

A nine-month spell as Hibernian head coach followed before he joined the Blades in 2020. After largely overseeing the U23s, he eventually succeeded Slavisa Jokanovic in November 2021 following a successful spell as caretaker.  

After leading the Blades to the Play-Off Semi Finals last term, Heckingbottom will be hoping to go one better in the 2022/23 Championship campaign. 

DANGER MAN | OLI MCBURNIE 

A physically imposing forward, Oli McBurnie will be aiming to continue his prolific form to help fire Sheffield United back to the Premier League.  

McBurnie started his career with Bradford City, and spent two successive loan spells at Chester, before making a permanent switch to Swansea City in July 2015. While further loans at Newport County and Bristol Rovers played a part in his early progression, McBurnie really came into his own during the six months he spent at Barnsley in January 2018. 

Working with his now Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom, McBurnie netted nine goals in 17 games at Oakwell, receiving a call-up to Scotland’s senior squad for the first time and winning the Tykes’ Player of the Year award. 

Returning to South Wales with newfound confidence, McBurnie followed up his impressive loan spell with 24 Championship goals for the Swans, with his red-hot form paving the way for his move to Sheffield United in August 2019.  

He made an instant impact at Bramall Lane, scoring his first Premier League goal against Leicester City in the same month of his arrival. He impressed throughout his debut campaign in the Steel City, as United finished in the top half of the table.  

After finding goals hard to come by in the two seasons that followed, McBurnie has really rediscovered his prowess in front of goal this term, scoring 11 league goals in just 20 starts.  

A player with undoubted quality at this level, McBurnie will be one of the key threats for the away side, should he be involved this weekend. 

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Latics and Sheffield United have previously met 21 times in senior competitions since their first-ever league encounter in 1981 with six victories for Latics, 10 wins for the Blades, and five draws. 

Latics’ last victory over the Blades at Bramall Lane came in February 2016, with Will Grigg and Conor McAleny on the scoresheet in the 2-0 victory. 

TICKETS 

There will be a pay on the day facility for Latics fans wanting to back the boys on the road at Sheffield United on Good Friday.

Available on the day from 9am at Bramall Lane, tickets are priced as follows:

Adults: £28.60
Senior (60+): £21
Students and 18-21: £18
Under 18: £13 - Under 14 are not permitted entry without an accompanied adult.

Collections and duplicate requests will be available from the Black Collection Kiosk across from the Ticket Office.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION AT BRAMALL LANE 

Parking for tomorrow’s trip to Bramall Lane is available at The Sheffield College. Supporters can pre-book their parking slots in advance by clicking here. 

The entrance for disabled supporters can be located at the bottom of the main car park to the left-hand side of the ‘Legends of the Lane’ Museum. 

For those looking for a pub to enjoy some pre-match drinks, The Howard, The Globe and The Graduate all are directly opposite the train station. 

The Club would also like to remind supporters that it is illegal to bring pyrotechnics into Bramall Lane, and there are consequences for anybody who breaks the law and ground regulations. Anyone caught possessing or using pyrotechnics will be reported to the police and prosecution could result in a permanent criminal record. 

Football authorities have introduced measures and stronger sanctions across the game to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours. While fan behaviour on a matchday has shown some signs of improvement, there have been instances where pyrotechnics including flares, smoke bombs and fireworks have been found or used in stadiums.

Wigan Athletic prides itself on being a family-friendly Club, and is committed to ensuring that the field of play remains safe for players, managers and match officials, just as the stands should be for supporters.